Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in South Africa
South Africa: Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum was 82,358 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in South Africa, 2000–2025
Source: Refugee Population Statistics Database, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Analysis
In 2025, asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in South Africa stood at 82,358.
The figure is down 17.9% on the previous year and down 92.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in South Africa peaked at 1.10 million in 2015 and was at its lowest, 11,413, in 2001.
South Africa ranks 20th of 179 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 15,139 | — |
| 2001 | 11,413 | -24.6% |
| 2002 | 52,447 | +359.5% |
| 2003 | 84,089 | +60.3% |
| 2004 | 115,224 | +37.0% |
| 2005 | 140,095 | +21.6% |
| 2006 | 131,107 | -6.4% |
| 2007 | 170,864 | +30.3% |
| 2008 | 227,124 | +32.9% |
| 2009 | 309,794 | +36.4% |
| 2010 | 171,702 | -44.6% |
| 2011 | 219,341 | +27.7% |
| 2012 | 230,420 | +5.1% |
| 2013 | 237,231 | +3.0% |
| 2014 | 463,909 | +95.6% |
| 2015 | 1.10 million | +136.3% |
| 2016 | 218,275 | -80.1% |
| 2017 | 191,333 | -12.3% |
| 2018 | 184,193 | -3.7% |
| 2019 | 188,235 | +2.2% |
| 2020 | 173,461 | -7.8% |
| 2021 | 167,411 | -3.5% |
| 2022 | 84,316 | -49.6% |
| 2023 | 86,911 | +3.1% |
| 2024 | 100,313 | +15.4% |
| 2025 | 82,358 | -17.9% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 125,730 | 11,413 | 309,794 | 10 |
| 2010s | 320,066 | 171,702 | 1.10 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 115,795 | 82,358 | 173,461 | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More social development data for South Africa
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 55,177 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 1,319 (2025)
- Political Rights Rating 2 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 1 (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Political rights rating fh, gaps filled 2 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 1,319 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0.0009 units per person (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in South Africa?
- Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum in South Africa was 82,358 in 2025, according to Refugee Population Statistics Database, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
- What is the highest asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 1.10 million in 2015.
- What is the lowest asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 11,413 in 2001.
- How does South Africa rank for asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum?
- South Africa ranks 20th out of 179 countries with data for 2025.
- Is asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 92.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Refugee Population Statistics Database, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), published as part of Asylum-seekers by country or territory of asylum. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Asylum-seekers are individuals who have sought international protection and whose claims for refugee status have not yet been determined. This includes those who are in various stages of the asylum process, such as initial application, appeal, or awaiting final decision. In specific contexts, asylum-seekers may also include those who are seeking protection under complementary forms of protection, and those enjoying temporary protection, but whose claims are still under consideration.